The Birth of Jesus & the Ministry of John the Baptist

Matthew 1 contains the genealogy of Jesus. It starts with Abraham and ends with Jesus' earthly father, Joseph. In Luke 3, the genealogy begins with Joseph and goes back to Adam. These genealogies include King David, and the purpose is to show the fulfillment of the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the house of David.

John the Baptist Foretold

At this time, Herod was the king of Judea. There was a prophet named Zechariah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They followed the commandments and laws of God. They were older and had not had any children. Zechariah was serving as a priest.

One day, an angel of God appeared before Zechariah in the temple. Zechariah was afraid when he saw the angel. The angel told him that his prayers had been heard and that his wife would have a son. He was to name the child John. The angel explained that the child was not to drink wine or strong drinks. He would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he would have the spirit and power of Elijah. The angel foretold that he would prepare the people for the coming Lord.

Zechariah asked how he could know that this was true. The angel said that his name was Gabriel and that he had been sent from God to bring Zechariah the good news. Gabriel cautioned Zechariah that because he had not believed, he would not be able to speak about these things until they had happened. Sure enough, when Zechariah came out of the temple, he could not talk. The people could tell that he had seen a vision. He went home, and just as the angel had said, Elizabeth conceived and would have a baby.

Jesus Is Coming

The angel Gabriel was also sent from God to Nazareth (in Galilee), to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to a man named Joseph who was a descendant of King David. Gabriel came to Mary with greetings. He told her not to be afraid, that she had found favor with God, and that she would have a baby named Jesus. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33, ESV®).

Mary asked how this could be since she had never been with a man. The angel answered that the Holy Spirit would come to her, and God's power would make that happen. The child would be called holy and the Son of God. Gabriel informed Mary that her relative Elizabeth would also have a baby soon. Mary humbly replied to Gabriel that she was the servant of God and to let it be according to His word. Gabriel then left her.

Mary and Elizabeth

Mary visited Elizabeth in a town in the hill country of Judah. When Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped. The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth. She cried out that Mary was blessed among women, and her baby was blessed too. Elizabeth asked why the mother of her Lord had come to see her. She told Mary that her baby had leaped inside her when Mary came in. Mary praised God for the position she was in. She stayed with Elizabeth for about three months before going home.

John the Baptist Is Born

Elizabeth had her son. The relatives and neighbors came to her house and celebrated with her. Eight days after the baby was born, they came to circumcise him. They asked Elizabeth the child's name, assuming that she would name him after Zechariah, but instead, she told them that the baby was named John. They checked with Zechariah about what he wanted the baby named. He wrote down the name of the baby: John. Immediately, Zechariah was able to talk again, and he blessed God. The neighbors were puzzled and wondered what this child would be, because God was clearly with him.

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. He declared that God had blessed His people, and he thanked God for His redemption and salvation. He rejoiced that John would be a prophet of God and would prepare a way for the Messiah. Zechariah prophesied that John would ready the people for salvation and the forgiveness of their sins. John grew up in the wilderness, becoming strong in spirit.

The Birth of Jesus

Now Mary, Jesus' mother, was engaged to Joseph. Before the marriage had been consummated, Mary was found to be pregnant with a child from the Holy Spirit. For many, this would be hard to believe, and it would make both Mary and Joseph look improper to those around them. Joseph decided to divorce Mary. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream while he considered this. The angel told Joseph not to be afraid of taking Mary as his wife because the baby was from the Holy Spirit. The angel informed Joseph that the baby would be a son, and He would be named Jesus. This child would save God's people from their sins.

All of these things would fulfill the word of God spoken through the prophets: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]" (Matthew 1:23—also found almost word for word in Isaiah 7:14, where it was originally prophesied). When Joseph awoke, he followed the angel's advice and instructions. He married Mary, and she later had a child named Jesus.

During this time, Caesar Augustus, the emperor of Rome, had ordered all people to be registered. Joseph was required to journey to his hometown of Bethlehem from Nazareth in order to register. He took Mary to Bethlehem with him, and at that point, she was still pregnant. While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. She gave birth, wrapped baby Jesus in tight cloth, and laid Him in a manger (a feeding trough). They had tried to get a room in the inn, but it was full.

Shepherds Keeping Watch

In that same area of Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their flock at night. An angel came from God and appeared to them. The glory of God showed all around the angel. The angel told them not to be afraid—he was bringing good news for everyone. He said that a baby had been born that day in Bethlehem. The baby was Christ the Lord. The angel announced that the shepherds would find the baby in a stable. Suddenly, a great number of the heavenly host appeared, praising God and bestowing peace on those who followed Him.

The angels departed, and the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see what the angels had told them about. When the shepherds found baby Jesus, they excitedly shared with others what they had seen and heard. The people they talked to wondered what it all meant—except for Mary. She treasured all of these words. The shepherds returned, praising God.

Baby Jesus Presented at the Temple

Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented. There was a devout man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and the Holy Spirit had previously come to him, saying that he would not die before he saw Christ. He went to the temple, took Jesus in his arms, and praised God, saying that he had seen God's revelation for the Gentiles and glory for the people of Israel.

Mary and Joseph marveled at what Simeon had said. Simeon then prophesied that Jesus would cause many to rise and fall in Israel. He warned Mary that she would suffer great sorrow. A prophetess named Anna, who was very old, stayed in the temple praying and fasting. She began to praise God and to tell the news to all who were waiting for Jerusalem to be redeemed. When Mary and Joseph had completed everything at the temple, they returned to Nazareth. Jesus grew in strength and wisdom. God's favor was upon Him.

Wise Men

After Jesus was born, wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. They asked where they could find the baby that had just been born—the one who was to be the king of the Jews. They had seen a star as a sign and had come to worship Him. King Herod heard of this and was worried. He assembled the priests and scribes and inquired where the Messiah was to be born. They answered that He was to be born in Bethlehem, according to the prophet. Herod summoned the wise men to learn when the star had appeared. He sent the wise men to Bethlehem and requested that they send word to him when they came across the child. He lied and claimed that this was so that he could go and worship also. The wise men found Jesus in Bethlehem under the star they had followed. They went to the house and saw Mary holding Jesus. They fell down and worshipped Him. They offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After this, they had a dream warning them not to return to King Herod. They went back to their homeland, traveling a different way.

Flee to Egypt

When the wise men left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel commanded Joseph to take Mary and the child and run away to Egypt. The angel ordered Joseph to stay in Egypt until he was told to return, because Herod was looking to kill the child. Joseph took his family that night, and they fled to Egypt. They stayed in Egypt until Herod died. An angel again appeared to Joseph and informed him of Herod's death. Joseph was afraid to go to Judea because Herod's son was ruling there, so he brought the child to Nazareth. This was another fulfillment of prophecy because it was said that God's Son would be called from Egypt and that the Messiah would be a Nazarene.

Herod Kills All the Male Children

Herod was furious when he discovered that the wise men had outwitted him. He ordered that all the male children in and around Bethlehem that were under two years old be killed. The prophet Jeremiah had foretold that this would happen.

Jesus in the Temple

Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus was twelve years old. After this, Mary and Joseph had begun their trip home when they realized that Jesus was not with them. They returned to the temple three days later. Jesus was with the teachers at the temple, asking questions. Everyone at the temple was amazed at His understanding and how He answered the teachers. Mary told Him that they had been looking for Him and had been worried. Jesus asked her why they had been looking for Him, and why they had not known that He would be in His Father's house. They did not understand what Jesus meant by that. They all returned to Nazareth, and Jesus obeyed His parents.

The Word

When God created everything, there was the Word: "...the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). The Word was the Son of God, and the Son of God was God. Everything was made through the Word. He was life and the light of men that shone in the darkness.

John the Baptist was sent by God. He was a witness of the light, but he was not the light. The light—Jesus—had come into the world. His own people did not know Jesus and did not receive Him. The people who received Him and believed in Him became the children of God. The Word (Jesus) had become human and now lived with the people. John the Baptist introduced Jesus by saying that Jesus came after him but was above him because He was before him. (This meant that Jesus had always existed but had come in the flesh after John was born.) John pointed out that Moses gave the law, but Jesus gave grace and truth.

John the Baptist Questioned

Some priests and Levites came to see John the Baptist, and they asked him who he was. John told them that he was not the Messiah. They asked him if he was Elijah or the prophet God had promised would come. He replied that he was neither of these. The priests and Levites asked him again who he was. John answered them, saying, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said" (John 1:23). They asked John why he was baptizing if he was not the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet. John responded that he baptized with water, but there was someone among them that they did not know, whose sandal he was not worthy to even untie a strap on. This happened in Bethany, the place where John was baptizing people.

Jesus approached John the Baptist the next day. John recognized Him and called out, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). John said that this was whom he had been talking about. John had been baptizing people so that the Messiah might be revealed to Israel. John saw the Spirit come down from heaven on Jesus, and it stayed with Him. John gave witness that this man was the Son of God.

Jesus Baptized

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. John the Baptist was confused; he did not feel worthy to baptize Jesus. John protested that he should be getting baptized by Jesus, not the other way around. Jesus told him that it was necessary because He had to fulfill all righteousness. John baptized Jesus, and when he did, heaven opened up. A voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

Jesus Tempted

Then, Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. While He was there, He was tempted by Satan. He fasted for forty days and forty nights. Satan came to Jesus and said that if Jesus was really the Son of God, then He should turn the stones into bread. Jesus answered that man does not live by bread but by the word of God. Satan then took Jesus to Jerusalem and put Him on the highest point of the temple. Satan again said that if Jesus was really the Son of God, He should throw Himself down, and angels would save Him. Jesus replied that God was not to be put to the test. Finally, Satan took Jesus to a mountain and showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world. Satan said that he would give Jesus everything if Jesus would worship him. Jesus told Satan to leave, that it was written that only God was to be worshipped. Satan left, and angels came to help Jesus.

The First Disciples

John the Baptist was with two of his disciples and saw Jesus pass by. John declared, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36). The two disciples of John the Baptist followed Jesus, and Jesus asked them what they were looking for. They responded by addressing Him as "Teacher" and wanting to know where He was staying. Jesus told them to come with Him. They went with Jesus and remained with Him that day. One of these men was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Andrew went to Simon, his brother, and explained to him that they had found the Messiah. Andrew took Simon to Jesus. Jesus decided that Simon would be called Peter.

Jesus went a little further and came across James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John (not John the Baptist). They were mending fishing nets. Jesus called them, and they left and followed Him.

Jesus then encountered Philip in Galilee and instructed Philip to follow Him. Philip went to Nathaniel and announced that they had found the Messiah the prophets had spoken of: Jesus of Nazareth. Nathaniel wondered if anything good could come out of Nazareth. When Jesus saw Nathaniel coming, He remarked that there came an Israelite who did not lie. Nathaniel asked Jesus how He knew him. Jesus answered that before Philip had even spoken to Nathaniel, Jesus had seen him under a fig tree. Nathaniel then recognized Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus promised that this was nothing compared to what Nathaniel would see. He would see angels coming down and going up on the Son of Man. ("The Son of Man" was a reference to Jesus, Himself.)

Jesus and the Unclean Spirit

Jesus and His disciples went to Capernaum. Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching. He spoke as one with authority and not as someone that had just recorded and recited what was recorded. A man with an unclean spirit came to Jesus and yelled at Him, demanding to know why He was there. He asked Jesus if He had come to destroy them. Jesus told him to be quiet and commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. The man convulsed, and the spirit came out of him. The people were amazed and asked who this was that was teaching with such authority and could command unclean spirits to obey Him.

Jesus Heals

Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a fever. Jesus took her by the hand, and she was healed. That evening, many more people that were sick or had been possessed by demons were brought to Jesus. Jesus healed them. The demons that Jesus cast out were not allowed to speak because they knew Jesus.

Jesus in Galilee

Jesus woke in the morning and went outside and prayed. Simon found Jesus outside and mentioned that the others were looking for Him. Jesus said that they would go to other towns so He could preach there. They went all over Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

A leper came to Jesus, begging to be healed. Jesus took pity on him and reached out His hand, and the man with leprosy was immediately healed. Jesus instructed the man to go to the priests and do what was proper according to the Law of Moses. He ordered the man not to tell anyone how he was healed, but the man spread the news of what had happened. Jesus became so well known that He could not even enter a town, so He stayed in desolate places, and the people came to Him from all over.

Summary

The genealogy of Jesus shows a direct connection to King David, as was prophesied. The births of John the Baptist and Jesus were foretold. Mary visited Elizabeth, and John the Baptist leaped in his mother's womb when Mary came nearby. John the Baptist was born first, and then Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Shepherds—and later, wise men—came to praise baby Jesus after being summoned there. Joseph and Mary had Jesus dedicated in the temple, and Simeon rejoiced when he saw the baby.

The wise men had spoken to King Herod about looking for the Messiah, and Herod killed all of the baby boys under two in Bethlehem. The wise men took a different path home to avoid King Herod. Joseph and Mary moved young Jesus away from Herod. When Jesus was older, Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple, asking questions. John the Baptist was baptizing people when the priests questioned him. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and then He was led into the wilderness and tempted by Satan. Jesus began His ministry and called His first disciples. Jesus performed many miracles, including commanding an unclean spirit to come out of someone, healing Simon's mother-in-law, and curing a leper in Galilee.

Application and Reflection

Application

These were the initial phases of the ministry of Jesus. There are continuous references to prophecy being fulfilled. The birth and life of Jesus are also a fulfillment of prophecy, and this offers more proof of the inerrancy of the Bible.

Reflection

John the Baptist declared, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said" (John 1:23). When you try to witness to others, do you ever feel like you are a voice crying out, unheard, in a wilderness? It is important to remember that even if you feel that way, your commission from God is to deliver the gospel.